Saturday, 31 July 2010

I've put this off for long enough, it's time to bite the bullet and get it over with. The list was so hard to compile because I couldn't for the life of me remember anyone apart from the first 5! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it! These are the actors who almost made it onto the list: Hugh Grant, Hugh Laurie, George Clooney, Richard Armitage and Christian Bale.

No. 1 - Johnny Depp

I feel like most people (excluding Twilight fans...) would put Johnny at the top of their list. I usually hate that, as I'm not one for being a big fan of a hugely popular actor, but Johnny Depp just HAS to be at the top. He always delivers the greatest performance possible, and, regardless of whether the film is good or not, he is always too magnificent for words! ♥

No. 2 - Viggo Mortensen

Viggo will forever be my Aragorn. Of course, he has been in many other marvellous films - but my favourite will always be the LOTR trilogy. Of all the cast, I think he, along with Ian McKellen and Sean Bean, was the most perfectly cast. He was Aragorn...I utterly believed him -and was a little in love with him too. ;D Having said that, I believe him in all of his roles...

No. 3 - Russell Crowe

How magnificent is this man? I bow before him in wonder and awe. I know a lot of people think he's too serious and thinks he can do what he wants because he's really famous, but I completely disagree. I think it's a little bit like how so many are always like "Oh, Bette Davis was always bitching about everything and everyone, blah blah blah..." - that's not how I see it at all. She didn't bitch - she just spoke her mind and spoke it bluntly. If she was bitching, she wouldn't have been so blunt! So, yeah, that's quite similar to the Russell Crowe thing I think...

No. 4 - David Tennant

This list would not be complete with my darling David. (Cue fan girl squeees!) This man can do no wrong. Watch him in anything and you will not be disappointed. Doctor Who, Blackpool, Hamlet, Casanova....I promise you'll never tire of him!

No. 5 - Ewan McGregor

Ok, I admit it, he's here partly because of his roguish smile BUT he is an amazing actor too! Honestly, I just love him - and he seems like a such a sweet person in real life!

No. 6 - Tom Hanks

Just amazing. I have nothing more to say about him. Everything about him oozes magnificence and incredible talent! When he's on screen, you can't look at anyone else.

No. 7 - David Duchovny

I just love David - he's a wonderful actor, he's funny, he's sweet...and he got to work with Gillian Anderson *is jealous*! Gah, he's just marvellous!

No. 8 - Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones films alone merit him a place on this list. Oh, and not forgetting how immense he was in the Star Wars saga. Even though Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was absolutely rubbish, it was worth watching just for his coolness at 66 - he's one of those people who'll be cool when they're 100! (Yes, I use cool too much!!)

No. 9 - Heath Ledger

I can't believe it's 2 1/2 years since his tragic death! I'd only ever seen him in A Knight's Tale before his death, but now, having seen him in quite a few more films, I have such huge respect for him. He was a terribly mature actor, despite being so young.

No. 10 - Colin Firth

He often looks awkward and shy, but that's part of his charm! I think he's a wonderful actor, and at least one of his roles will always be remembered as the best portrayal of that character EVER - Mr. Darcy. Matthew Macfadyen, why did you think you could better him in that horrific mess of a film?

Ok, that's it. It seems to me this list is a bit of a mess, but never mind. It's over with now ;D Hope you enjoyed reading my ramblings and I hope that my overuse of the words "cool", "amazing" and "wonderful" didn't make you grimace too much!

Thursday, 29 July 2010

Clara Bow (Born: July 26, 1905 - Died: September 27, 1965) is my favourite actress (AND all time favourite flapper!) of the 20s, although Lulu is only second by a teeny tiny margin.

Clara's life wasn't all sunshine and roses by any means, and I often think that you can see that in her eyes. There's something in there that belies her happy, exuberant appearance. However, I don't want to dwell on the tragedies and misfortunes of her life...today should be a happy day!

If you've never seen one of her films then you've been missing out on a huge treat! ;D I suggest you get your hands on a copy of one of her films right away! My favourites are Helen's Babies(1924), The Plastic Age (1925), Wings (1927), It (1927) which gave Clara her nickname the "It girl", Call Her Savage (1932) and Hoop-La (1933), her last film.

I'm stuck for words (wonders will never cease!) to share with you my love of Clara. Really, you just have to see her in something yourself...and if, after that, you don't love her, well then, you're a lost cause! ;D

I'm going to stop aimlessly typing now, and leave you with some of my favourite photos of the birthday girl! A presto!

With her husband, Rex Bell.

I love this photo! All the bows are so clever and cute! ♥

This is possibly my favourite photo of her. It's so natural and she seems so happy...

Gina kicking off a football match in Geneva sometime in the 70s. I was watching some lovely interviews of Gina yesterday, and I highly recommend that, if you speak or understand Italian, you check out her Italian interviews. She's always 10x more relaxed, chatty and hilarious in them than in her English ones. Also, I found a really lovely French interview - I had no idea she spoke French too! Here are the links to a couple:

Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Well, the results are in for the Bette Davis vs. Joan Crawford (doesn't "vs." make it more exciting!?). A BIIIIG thank you to everyone who voted!

I'm actually rather surprised by the results as I had anticipated the two ladies being head to head all the way. However, we can conclude from this poll that the majority of my blog readers are good old....

...BETTE DAVIS fans! She received 15 of the 17 votes cast.

Poor Joan is sulking now. This one time, though, I'll forgive her...wouldn't you be sulking if you'd only received two votes? ;D

I'm certain most of you know which of these two actresses is my personal favourite, but, as I told you, I bought a Joan Crawford box set today (and I really can't wait until it comes!), so perhaps I don't dislike her as much as you might think! ;D She'll never match Bette, though...

Monday, 26 July 2010

You may have noticed, and I really hope you DIDN'T, that I made a birthday post for Clara Bow today. I am so embarrassed my face actually felt like it was going to burn off in shame! ;D Anyway, the reason for this terrible mistake is because I somehow got it into my head that her birthday wasn't on the 29th anymore, it was on the 26th. When I suddenly realised that no.one.else.at.all. was posting Clara Bow birthday posts, I decided to check the date...and that brings you to where I am now. You could cook a roast on my face, it's so hot with embarrassment...

Vivian, an actress of stage and screen, is most remembered for her fabulous portrayal of Ethel Mertz, Lucy Ricardo's best friend and landlady in the wonderful t.v. show I Love Lucy. I can't say how much I love Vivian...she has me rolling on the floor with laughter just by some of the looks she gives Fred (and Lucy, sometimes!). I think often people forget about her and William (Frawley), immediately thinking of Lucille and Desi when talking about the show, however, without the Mertz, I Love Lucy wouldn't be half as funny! :)

Sunday, 25 July 2010

I once again made a foray into my film stars folder, once again closed my eyes, and once again randomly clicked. I present you with this week's Sunday Star: the lovely Glynis Johns of Mary Poppins, Perfect Strangers, Miranda and The Sundowners fame.

Glynis (Born October 5, 1923) is a South African born Welsh actress, singer, dancer....you name it, she can do it! I read once that she was qualified to teach ballet by the age of 10 :O I'd never be able to teach ballet if I lived another 666 years!

I really do love Glynis. She plays endearingly eccentric, bubbly, happy and joyful characters like no one else. Two of my favourite roles of hers aren't even main characters, but she is so charming and quirky that you can't help but love her! These roles are Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins and Mrs. Firth in The Sundowners. Of course, these are made even more marvellous by the fact that she sings in both of them. Which brings me onto another point...

Glynis' voice is so magical. It may not be polished and perfect, but it's honest and full of emotion. Her most famed song is "Send in the Clowns" from Sondheim's A Little Night Music. I can never listen to it too much - there's something new to be heard every time.

She may not be my favourite actress, but I know I can always watch something with her in and not be disappointed.

Miss Johns is a real gem of the cinema.

This photo is so cute! I LOVE her hair! :')

Let's go fly a kite up to the highest height! Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring!!

I was looking for some photos when all of a sudden I saw this online newspaper headline, "Is Miley the new Judy?". My first instinct was to hunt down the evil writer of this atrocity, stick him on a spit and slowly roast him to death. However, I calmed myself down and decided to uphold Judy's honour by dedicating this post to her! :)

Saturday, 24 July 2010

...well, that's not strictly true. I do like a few more than 10, but most of them either get on my nerves OR I have no idea who they are! ;D

Anyway, I decided to post this today because 1) It was so easy to whip up, and 2) I had nothing better to do.

Obviously, I do watch some modern films (for me, modern is anything post 1980 ;D ), but the ratio of old films to modern films is 10,000:1 ;D The last time I watched a "modern" film was....over a month ago. They're just in no way, shape or form as enjoyable...for me, that is.

Most of the actors and actresses I never really notice when watching modern films, so this list is exceptionally special because I really do love these actresses.

I've decided to share my favourite role of each of the actresses because I've noticed sometimes other bloggers do that, and I think it's a great idea!

No. 1 - Gillian Anderson

Gillian has been my firm favourite since I saw her in the Beeb's adaptation of Charles Dickens' Bleak House. She completely mesmerized me throughout the whole series, and I wouldn't like to think how many times I've watched it since. A few months back I think I watched the whole thing about 4 times in 2 weeks!! I love and admire her so much that I'll watch entire films just to see her for a few minutes. Oh, and she's also far too hilarious! All of her interviews have me in stitches!

Favourite Role: Lady Dedlock in Bleak House

No. 2 - Meryl Streep

Is there anyone who doesn't like Meryl? She is most definitely one of the greatest actresses of all time - her very presence makes her younger co-stars quake with fear! She's unbelievably versatile, and she's so utterly charming that you can't help but love her!

Cate has something that most of her contemporaries don't have - class, elegance and beautiful manners. She is undoubtedly one of the classiest actresses that has graced our screens since the Golden Age and whenever I see her in a film, an interview, or even just a photo, it's a breath of fresh air.

Favourite Role: Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator

No. 4 - Helena Bonham-Carter

For me, Helena is a modern day Bette Davis (except, not quite as spectacularly amazing!). She doesn't care, and, even more, she doesn't care that you know that she doesn't care. She also has magnificent acting chops like Bette. Her sense of humour is the best EVER, and...well, just check out this video...

How can you not love her!? :')

Favourite Role: Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd

No. 5 - Anjelica Huston

A couple of years back I was obsessed - with a capital O obsessed - with The Addams Family. I loved, and still do, everything to do with it, and I especially loved Morticia. However, I'm not a big fan of the t.v. series because Anjelica Huston completely overshadowed Carolyn Jones as Morticia. Seriously...Anjelica was magnificent! Ever since then, I've loved her in everything...she's an absolutely fabulous actress! :')

Favourite Role: Morticia Addams in The Addams Family and The Addams Family Values.

No. 6 - Kate Winslett

Titanic aside, I think Kate Winslett is fabulous! She always, always makes me smile and, most often than not, I feel happier after watching something with her in! Also, she's so beautiful, it's unfair!

Favourite Role: Iris Simpkins in The Holiday or Sylvia Davies in Finding Neverland.

No. 7 - Emma Thompson

She may have written and starred in Nanny McPhee, but I forgave her (eventually) and began to love her as much as ever. (But really, what was she thinking?). She's one of the Cambridge Trio (Fry, Laurie and Thompson) and she's just FABULOUS! She also rode her bicycle down one of the corridors of her college - can't you just see it!?

Favourite Role: Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility

No. 8 - Ellen Page

Ellen Page is unbelievable. If you haven't seen Juno go and watch it NOW! She is unbelievable in this film, and I think the first time I saw it I sat there in a stupor. Kristen Stewart should take a few (no, rephrase that: MANY) lessons in "How to Be An Amazing Actress" and "How To Choose Great Scripts" from Ellen.

Favourite Role: Juno McGuff in Juno.

No. 9 - Catherine Zeta Jones

Catherine's one of the actresses who gives some AMAZING performances, and then some absolutely rubbish ones. This is not endearing. Neither is her constantly-fluxing-between-Welsh-and-American accent. However, overlooking these minor points, I really do admire and love her. (Not so much that I don't laugh hysterically at French and Saunders' mick-taking sketches of her, though...)

Favourite Role: Velma Kelly in Chicago.

No. 10 - Jodie Foster

I first saw Jodie in Bugsy Malone and absolutely loved her in it! She was the most convincing one of the bunch, and just utterly fantastic! I have to admit, I haven't seen that many of her films, but she's impressed me so much that I feel she deserves this place. Also, she speaks fluent French, as well as fairly good Italian and, I think, German! That is a certain way to get yourself onto this list! ;D

Favourite Role: Tallulah in Bugsy Malone

Well, I hope you've enjoyed this list! Tomorrow I'll be posting my 10 fav. modern actors (or not...it could be another 2 weeks! ;D ), so feel free to check back for that!

Here you will find my often incoherent ramblings about my favourite classic film stars, reviews of the many films I watch, and various other things pertaining to the wonderful world of classic film. Occasionally I stray from my classic film blog status and post about more recent (i.e. post-1970) films and tv series. Hope you enjoy reading and don't be afraid to comment - I love talking to my fellow film buffs!!